Nearly 50,000 health-care jobs have been added to the state’s economy since 1990. Even the 2001-2003 recession did not faze Oregon’s strong health-care employment growth. Why? The demand for workers is driven by at least two factors. The patient population is increasing and aging. Also, aging health-care workers must be replaced as they retire. Projections show 10 of the 25 fastest-growing occupations in Oregon from 2004 to 2014 will be health-care occupations that provide direct health-care services. Health-care occupations will make up 13% of the state’s projected new jobs over the decade. Rapid job growth makes health care the only major occupational group with more projected job openings due to growth than due to existing workers leaving the occupation. Many of these jobs pay well, too. Several health-care occupations are among the top wage earners in the state. This helps keep the industry’s average pay well above state levels.

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BY JASON E. KAPLAN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The sweltering weather didn't keep the crowds away. Although the numbers were down slightly from last year, the Oregon Food Bank raised $850,636 to fight hunger. About 80,000 people attended despite temperatures in the upper 90s.

BY JASON E. KAPLAN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

As part of our green workplaces story, Oregon Business checked out a community service project undertaken by Portland Youth Builders, a nonprofit alternative high school. In partnership with Whole Foods, PYB built garden boxes for a Home Forward housing site. Home Forward is a government agency that provides housing for low income residents and people with disabilities.

BY STUART WATSON

BY JON SHADEL

The technology industry is always in flux. And this rapid rate of change poses challenges to companies ranging from nimble startups aiming to make their mark to established organizations fighting to remain relevant. This is particularly true in the competitive digital display market, where an Oregon company has been at the forefront of nearly every major breakthrough in the last three decades.

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Robert S. Wiggins has joined Lane Powell as a Shareholder in the Corporate/M&A Practice Group. Wiggins is a well-known lawyer, entrepreneur, and investor with more than 30 years of experience leading and advising established and emerging companies in the Pacific Northwest. Wiggins will focus his practice on offering outside general counsel services, including general corporate and board representation, business transactions and capital events.